Compatible mechanical and/or electrical connections to video game system accessories provide unique shape, design and dimensions that discourage or prevent non-compatible devices from being connected, connector configurations that allow connection only in a proper orientation to ensure electrical compatibility and eliminate the possibility of short-circuits, quick release locking arrangement firmly mechanically holds mating connectors together despite extensive movement of the game player's arms and hands, staged electrical contacting sequence provides proper signal application sequence, and wrist strap to tether handheld remote controller to hand is attached to a locking connector that mates with a connector of the remote controller.
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17. A male-type connector for electrically connecting a first handheld video game control device with a second handheld video game control device having a female-type connector, said male-type connector comprising:
a main housing; and
a male insertion portion that protrudes from the main housing, the male insertion portion being insertable into a mating female connector of a second handheld video game control device, the male insertion portion comprising:
exterior sides and a distal planer end surface,
a recess that opens on the distal planer end surface and that extends into an interior of the male insertion portion,
a plurality of electrical contacts that are mounted on two opposed interior sides of the recess, wherein the plurality of electrical contacts are biased towards a central portion of the recess, and
means for limiting the extent to which the plurality of electrical contacts can move towards the central portion of the recess.
19. A male-type connector for electrically connecting a first handheld video game control device with a second handheld video game control device having a female-type connector, said male-type connector comprising:
a main housing; and
a male insertion portion that protrudes from the main housing, the male insertion portion being insertable into a mating female connector of a second handheld video game control device, the male insertion portion comprising:
exterior sides and a distal planer end surface,
a recess that opens on the distal planer end surface and that extends into an interior of the male insertion portion,
a plurality of electrical contacts that are mounted on two opposed interior sides of the recess, wherein the plurality of electrical contacts are biased towards a central portion of the recess, and
means for preventing ends of the electrical contacts located adjacent the distal planer end surface from being damaged when the male insertion portion is inserted into a mating female connector that has a protrusion that is received in the recess of the male insertion portion.
20. A male-type connector for electrically connecting a first handheld video game control device with a second handheld video game control device having a female-type connector, said male-type connector comprising:
a main housing; and
a male insertion portion that protrudes from the main housing, the male insertion portion being insertable into a mating female connector of a second handheld video game control device, the male insertion portion comprising:
exterior sides and a distal planer end surface,
a recess that opens on the distal planer end surface and that extends into an interior of the male insertion portion,
a plurality of electrical contacts that are mounted on two opposed interior sides of the recess, wherein the plurality of electrical contacts are biased towards a central portion of the recess, and
means for preventing ends of the electrical contacts located adjacent the distal planer end surface from contacting a protrusion on a mating female connector that is received in the recess of the male insertion portion when the male insertion portion is inserted into the mating female connector.
1. A video game connector for electrically connecting a first handheld video game control device with a second handheld video game control device, said second handheld video game control device having a female-type socket, said video game connector comprising:
a grasping portion; and
a male insertion portion that protrudes from the grasping portion, the male insertion portion being insertable into a mating female-type socket within said second handheld video game control device, the male insertion portion comprising:
exterior sides, a proximal end located adjacent the grasping portion, a top portion, and a distal end having a substantially planar surface that is insertable into said mating female-type socket, said top portion including an exterior channel having two opposing exterior walls,
a recess at the distal end of the male insertion portion defining a male insertion portion opening, said recess including opposing interior surfaces,
a plurality of interior electrical contact channels defined in part by said opposing interior surfaces, wherein a portion of each of said plurality of interior electrical contact channels located at the opening at the distal end of said male insertion portion of the recess is closed off, and
a plurality of electrical contacts disposed within the interior electrical contact channels, each electrical contact being mounted on one of said opposing interior surfaces in an associated interior electrical contact channel, wherein an intermediate portion of each electrical contact extends outwardly from the interior surfaces.
9. A male-type connector for electrically connecting a first handheld video game control device with a second handheld video game control device having a female-type connector, said male-type connector comprising:
a main housing; and
a male insertion portion having a rectangular cross-sectional shape that protrudes from the main housing, the male insertion portion being insertable into a mating female connector of a second handheld video game control device, the male insertion portion comprising:
exterior sidewalls and a distal planer end surface,
a recess that opens on the distal planer end surface and that extends into an interior of the male insertion portion,
a plurality of recessed channels formed on each of two opposing interior sides of the recess, wherein a portion of each recessed channel located adjacent the distal planer end surface is closed off with respect to the recess, and
a plurality of electrical contacts that are mounted in the recess, each electrical contact being mounted in one of the recessed channels, wherein an intermediate portion of each electrical contact extends outward from the recessed channel towards a center of the recess, and wherein the plurality of electrical contacts are oriented such that when the male insertion portion is inserted into a mating female connector having a protrusion, the protrusion in the mating female connector will be received in the recess and the plurality of electrical contacts will engage corresponding electrical contacts located on opposing exterior sides of the protrusion in the mating female connector.
2. The connector of
3. The connector of
4. The connector of
5. The connector of
6. The connector of
7. The connector of
8. The connector of
10. The connector of
11. The connector of
12. The connector of
a first nib mounted on a first exterior sidewall of the male insertion portion such that the first nib can protrude from and be at least partially retracted into the first exterior sidewall;
a second nib mounted on a second exterior sidewall of the male insertion portion such that the second nib can protrude from and be at least partially retracted into the second exterior sidewall, the second exterior sidewall being located opposite to the first exterior sidewall;
a first actuating element that is mounted on the first grasping portion of the main housing; and
a second actuating element that is mounted on the second grasping portion of the main housing, wherein a user can depress the first and second actuating elements with the thumb and at least one finger of a single hand, and wherein the first and second actuating elements are coupled to the first and second nibs such that when a user depresses the first and second actuating elements, the first and second nibs are at least partially retracted into the male insertion portion.
13. The connector of
a first nib mounted on the male insertion portion such that the first nib can protrude through and be at least partially retracted into an aperture on a first exterior sidewall of the male insertion portion, the first nib including a generally triangular-shaped projection including a first flat surface that faces the main housing and that extends substantially perpendicular to the first exterior sidewall of the male insertion portion and a second flat surface that is angled with respect to the first exterior sidewall;
a second nib mounted on the male insertion portion such that the second nib can protrude through and be at least partially retracted into an aperture on a second exterior sidewall of the male insertion portion, the second nib including a generally triangular-shaped projection including a first flat surface that faces the main housing and that extends substantially perpendicular to the second exterior sidewall of the male insertion portion and a second flat surface that is angled with respect to the second exterior sidewall;
a first actuating element that is mounted on the first grasping portion of the main housing; and
a second actuating element that is mounted on the second grasping portion of the main housing, wherein a user can depress the first and second actuating elements with the thumb and at least one finger of a single hand, and wherein the first and second actuating elements are coupled to the first and second nibs such that when a user depresses the first and second actuating elements, the first and second nibs are at least partially retracted into the male insertion portion.
14. The connector of
a first nib mounted on the male insertion portion such that the first nib can protrude through and be at least partially retracted into an aperture on a first exterior sidewall of the male insertion portion;
a second nib mounted on the male insertion portion such that the second nib can protrude through and be at least partially retracted into an aperture on a second exterior sidewall of the male insertion portion, wherein the first nib and the second nib are located at opposite ends of an elongated, flexible, U-shaped strip of metal having first and second legs joined by a base, the first nib being located at an end of the first leg, and the second nib being located at an end of the second leg;
a first actuating element that is mounted on the first grasping portion of the main housing; and
a second actuating element that is mounted on the second grasping portion of the main housing, wherein the first actuating element bears against the first leg of the U-shaped strip of metal and the second actuating element bears against the second leg of the U-shaped strip of metal, such that when the first and second actuating elements are pushed closer together, they cause the first and second nibs to be at least partially retracted into the male insertion portion.
15. The connector of
16. The connector of
18. The connector of
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This application claims priority to the filing dates of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/905,903 filed Oct. 5, 2007, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/866,391 filed Nov. 17, 2006, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/916,750 filed May 8, 2007, the contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The technology herein relates to electrical connectors for video game systems, and more specifically to electromechanical connecting arrangements for connecting with video game input, peripheral and/or other devices. Still more particularly, the technology herein relates to methods, apparatus and techniques for providing reliable electrical and mechanical connectivity between 3D video game system components while preventing or discouraging incompatible and/or unauthorized device connections. The technology herein also relates to a secure lockable connector arrangement for video game system peripheral or other devices.
Video game system designers spend enormous amounts of time, effort, energy, money and other resources designing new video game systems for the consumer electronics market. A vast amount of human factor and other engineering typically goes into video game designs to make them successful and popular with consumers. For example, a video game input device such as a remote controller, handheld controller, joystick or the like should be capable of providing fine and other flexible user control inputs while at the same time being able to withstand various forms of physical abuse from small children. There are significant challenges to designing, developing and manufacturing video game consumer electronics hardware that is easy to use, very capable, highly reliable, rugged, flexible, compact, relatively low cost and a pleasure to operate.
A video game system designer may become disappointed if a competitor attempts to “knock off”, copy or otherwise attempt to develop unlicensed or unauthorized substitute input devices. Video game input devices that are cheaply made without the requisite human factor engineering tend to disappoint consumers. Furthermore, it is important for reliability, safety, avoiding damage and other reasons that only those devices intended to be connected are in fact able to be connected. It is undesirable to allow an unauthorized or unlicensed video game accessory manufacturer to get a “free ride” by selling certain types of products designed to interoperate with the video game system without first obtaining permission from or otherwise working out an agreement with the video game system manufacturer.
Some in the past have used complex electronic authentication or other elements to ensure that accessory hardware and software manufacturers obtain proper licenses and permissions. For example, many video game system software, disks and cartridges are protected by security systems that allow the system to determine whether software is authentic. The system can refuse to run software that is not authentic. While it may be possible and desirable to include electronic encryption and authentication on hardware accessory signal pathways, more fundamental approaches can also be effective.
The technology herein relates to a new and improved electromechanical connector arrangement for use in a video game system and/or other application. Exemplary illustrative non-limiting features include:
These and other features and advantages will be better and more completely understood by referring to the following detailed description of exemplary non-limiting illustrative implementations in conjunction with the drawings of which:
Exemplary illustrative non-limiting electrical connector plug 50 includes an insertion portion 52 and a manually grippable portion 54. Insertion portion 52 in one exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation forms a male portion of a connector that mates with a female connector receptacle or socket 100 (See
In the exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation shown, grippable portion 54 includes a generally box-like housing 56 including grippable side walls 58a, 58b. Housing 56 can be of two-piece construction with a top (upper) case portion 60 joining with a bottom (lower) case portion 62. Upper and lower or top and bottom housing case portions 60, 62 can be for example made of molded hard plastic, white “66Nylon” material or any other suitable durable material.
The upper and lower housing case portions 60, 62 when coupled together (e.g., using retaining screws, adhesive, or any other convenient fastening system) encapsulate and protect internal portions of the connector assembly to make the connector plug 50 rugged and allow it to stand up to abuse from children and others. In other exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementations, housing 56 as shown could be eliminated and some other arrangement used (or omitted as desired) for electrically connecting the connectors of a cable (not shown) to the insertion portion 52.
In the exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation, the connector plug housing 56 is of a convenient size for grasping or gripping between a thumb and other digit (e.g., forefinger, middle finger, etc.). See
In one exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation, the male connector plug 50 has a wrist strap hook 59 mounted on its housing 56. Wrist strap hook 59 can comprise for example a separate layer of clear strong durable plastic or other similar material providing a ridge 59a and a hook structure 59b. The purpose of ridge 59a and hook structure 59b in one exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation is to retain a nylon or other durable fabric or other wrist strap (e.g., loop) so the device into which the male connector plug 50 (e.g., a handheld remote controller) can be anchored to the user's hand or wrist.
Since illustrative non-limiting implementations shown herein have a rugged, strong locking mechanism that locks the male connector plug 50 to a mating female connector socket 100 (and thus for example to a handheld device which provides the mating female connector socket), it is sufficient in the exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation to anchor the wrist strap to the connector 50 which mates with the handheld device (direct connection of the wrist strap to the handheld device itself is thus not necessary in one exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation). In other implementations, a wrist strap could be anchored directly to the handheld device as opposed to the connector, or it could be omitted. In some exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementations, a sensor of some sort (e.g., optical) is provided to detect whether the wrist strap is being used and in some cases to prevent games or other applications from operating unless the wrist strap is physically in place. The wrist strap could be replaced with a lanyard or any other desired arrangement.
Exemplary Illustrative Non-Limiting Secure Locking Mechanism
An exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation includes a secure locking mechanism including control arms 64, locking nibs or tangs 66, and slots or other openings defined within a mating connector in registry with the locking nibs or tangs (see
In the exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation, control arms 64 and associated retractable nibs 66 are mechanically biased (see
In more detail, when the user grasps the connector plug housing 54 between the thumb and a finger and applies pressure to the control arms 64 and at this stage may or may not cause retractable nibs 66 to retract (see
Insertion is smoother and easier if the user is applying pressure to the control arms 64, but the force that the insertion wall of the female connector socket applies to the retractable nibs 66 will cause the nibs to retract irrespective of whether the user is applying force to control arms 64. Even though they are partially retracted, the nibs 66 are outwardly biased in the exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation such that they remain in close biased contact with the female socket inner wall and exert a frictional force thereon. However, in the exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation, the contact is between smooth metal surfaces so the frictional insertion force is relatively small, so as not to substantially impede insertion progress. Meanwhile, proper registration between the plug 50 and the socket is ensured by channel 320 conformally in registry with an engaging ridge 1320 disposed on an insertion wall of the female socket.
Thus, in the exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation shown, retractable nibs 66 serve to automatically retract as the connector insertion portion 52 is inserted into a corresponding snugly-fitting female receptacle. If corresponding locking grooves, openings or other structures in registry with locking nibs 66 are provided, the locking nibs may then automatically protrude into the corresponding structures in registration therewith, such that the trailing edges 72 abut corresponding edges of grooves, holes or the like and thereby substantially prevent the connector insertion portion 52 from being removed from a corresponding female receptacle unless either the control arms 64 are depressed to retract the nibs or a substantial amount of pressure is applied.
More specifically, as the user continues to supply insertion force (
The locking mechanism (the retractable nib portion of which is shown in more detail in FIG. 8A—including the U-shaped structure 65) thus provides added degrees of safety and security since the accessory or other device that connector plug 50 connects to will generally not easily unintentionally separate from the corresponding female connector socket 100. This can provide significant benefits for example when a user is holding a video game remote controller with one hand, the remote controller providing a female connector socket 100 into which a wired connector plug 50 is inserted. As the user independently swings his or her left and right arms to operate the two different devices, for example, the exemplary illustrative locking mechanism shown including retractable nibs 66 and corresponding in-registration slots, grooves or other openings or similar structures maintains a firmly-locked electrical and mechanical connection. This prevents electrical connector 50 from unexpectedly and unintentionally flying out of the corresponding female connector socket 100 during such arm movements, thereby potentially avoiding injuries, inconvenience, and other potential occurrences caused by unintended disconnection.
In one exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation, the locking mechanism is designed so it will fail and release the connector plug 50 from the connector socket 100 when a very substantial removal force is applied. Such a removal force can for example be somewhat or substantially less than the amount of force required to pull a cable out of the connector plug so that the locking mechanism will forceably release just before the cable strain release fails. Thus, the exemplary illustrative non-limiting locking mechanism is sufficiently stiff so that the connector will not come out accidentally, but is not so stiff that the cord will break first (locking mechanism strength is less than the tensile strength of the cable connected to the male connector 50 assuming a cable based connection is used).
In normal use, the user can easily withdraw the connector plug 50 from the connector socket 100 at any time by applying pressure onto control arms 64 and thereby cause the control arms to retract inwardly into the connector plug housing. As the user applies force to the control arms 64 and exceeds the biasing force that maintains the control arms in their outwardly protruding resting positions, the retractable nibs begin to retract into housing 54 (see
As can be seen in
In still other exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementations, the retractable nibs 66 could be formed in other ways and or omitted entirely. Although the exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation shown includes a locking mechanism including retractable nibs 66, other arrangements could be used instead. For example, in some applications, a friction fit alone might be sufficient, or the force of gravity in combination with a friction fit could be used to keep the connector insertion portion 52 mated with a corresponding female connector receptacle.
Exemplary Male and Female Multilevel Interlocking Configurations
The cross-sections of the different interlocking portions can be other than those shown in the Figures discussed above. For example,
Referring again to
Referring again to
One exemplary illustrative non-limiting pin assignment configuration may be as follows for a six-pin male connector:
Pin 1: Vcc (3 volts)
Pin 2: SCL (serial clock line)
Pin 3: “Attach” (connected to Vcc on the male plug 50 side, sensed on the female socket 100 side to determine whether a plug is connected or not)
Pin 4: V-Batt (can be used for supplying external power through the connectors if desired; this connection is optional in many games)
Pin 5: SDA (serial data line)
Pin 6: Ground
In one implementation shown in
(1) shielding plates make contact
(2) pins 1 and 6 (Vcc and ground) make contact simultaneously
(3) pins 2-5 (all the rest) make contact.
Other variations are of course possible, e.g., pins 2-5 make contact first and then power and ground make contact.
Such earlier or staged connection helps to eliminate power surges etc.
Keyed Configuration
While such conformal keying wherein plateau 450 slides into trough 320 provides good compatibility, it should be understood that other cross-sectional shapes and profiles could similarly provide partial compatibility and orientation control without being entirely conformal. In particular, although the exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementations shown in
Different Cross-Sectional Configurations
One can assume that an unauthorized or unlicensed hardware manufacturer would try to make his or her connector as different as possible from an authentic connector while still achieving electrical and mechanical compatibility. Elements of electrical and mechanical compatibility include for example proper electrical connection of most of the six electrical connections in the exemplary implementation (at least data and clock line connections would presumably be wanted to provide electrical compatibility, although the pluggable device might be able to provide its own power it would presumably also tie to the common ground connection or to shield but perhaps not to both); and prevention or correction in some way, shape or form from reversed orientation such that those lines are not reversed (although in some circumstances one could envision simply telling the user to try it one way or the other until it works since there are only two possibilities, so long as pin assignment is made carefully to avoid short-circuits).
Elements of mechanical compatibility depend to some extent on the particular application. Rugged, locking, conformal compatibility is probably useful for many applications. However, in applications where not much movement is involved, then perhaps the locking mechanism could be dispensed with or not used, and less conformality might be used. Less conformal might weaken ruggedness, but other precautions (e.g., additional means of attachment or stabilization) might be used to compensate. In some applications such as stationary docking port applications involving very little motion, the aspects of mechanical conformality used for compatibility might be reduced. By setting for these illustrative non-limiting shapes and examples, applicants intend to capture any and all ways to compatibly connect to either the
All dimensions herein and in the drawings are in millimeters. Tolerances are plus or minus 0.3 mm.
While the technology herein has been described in connection with exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementations, the invention is not to be limited by the disclosure. For example, other connection means including sleeves, clip down, tie downs, plunger based retaining mechanisms, discrete fingers, capacitive or inductive proximity sensors, optical couplers and other variations could be used instead of what is described above. Although the exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation connects video game systems, other arrangements are also possible. The invention is intended to be defined by the claims and to cover all corresponding and equivalent arrangements whether or not specifically disclosed herein.
Takamoto, Junji, Kumazaki, Daisuke, Takagi, Souichi, Tsutsui, Takaki
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